GMP welcomes the fourth generation of a policing family steeped in history into the ranks
The article highlights the four-generation legacy of the Clark family in policing, starting with Edwin Clark in 1924, followed by his son Douglas, grandson Andy, and now great-grandson Finlay. Each generation has contributed significantly to law enforcement, with roles ranging from traffic units to counter-terrorism. The family's dedication spans 86 years, with Finlay recently joining Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as a Police Constable Degree Apprentice in Salford.
Four Generations of One Family Mark 86 Years in Police Service
A single family’s commitment to public service has spanned nearly nine decades of British policing, beginning with a chance conversation on a Scottish fishing lodge in 1924 and continuing today through a 19-year-old constable standing 6’8” tall.
Edwin Clark launched the family’s policing dynasty in August 1924 when he joined Dumfriesshire Constabulary, later transferring to Bolton Borough Police’s traffic unit after meeting his future wife Mary. His brother Hector also served with Stranraer Police in Dumfries and Galloway, establishing what would become a lasting legacy.
The tradition continued when Edwin’s son Douglas left his railway job to join the force in 1966, following a recruitment drive and advice from his father. Douglas built a 30-year career with Bolton Borough CID, Whitefield CID and the Regional Crime Squad, also serving as an armed protection officer for a Member of Parliament.
“My father used to patrol the streets wearing the big hat and cape,” recalled Detective Sergeant Andy Clark, Douglas’s son and the family’s third-generation officer who joined Greater Manchester Police in 1999. “Police were very much respected in those days, and he would have people come up to him to talk when he was patrolling.”
Andy spent three years at Collyhurst before joining the Tactical Aid Unit, which deployed him to Thailand after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami to help recover British victims. He now serves as a Sergeant in the counter-terrorism Ports Unit.
The family’s fourth generation, 19-year-old Finlay Clark, has begun his own policing journey with GMP’s Salford division while completing the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. “He has always wanted to help other people, so he is a natural fit to help victims of crime,” Andy said of his son, who hopes to eventually join the Tactical Aid Unit like his father.
The family’s combined service now totals 86 years, with Edwin’s great-grandson positioned to push their legacy beyond a century. “It’s now up to Finlay to take the length of the family police service to over 100 years,” Andy noted.
Source: Read original article